Other-worldly puzzler hits dizzy heights
Etherborn
Etherborn is what an MC Escher platformer would look like. In the ethereal puzzler, you traverse entwined columns, trees, bridges and cliffs, walking from floors to walls to ceilings until up and down become old-fashioned concepts. There’s something of classic PlayStation adventure ICO in the soothing sounds and environments, generating a suitably weightless atmosphere, as you unpick the path through each 3D labyrinth. The camera deserves an honourable mention – trust in it and it won’t let you down, even when things get truly dizzying, and the forgiving savepoints are wonderful.
Another month, another live-action Disney remake.
And, like Aladdin, this is an update of one of my favourite cartoons from the animation giants.
It’s rather appropriate, then, that The Lion King falls into the same slot on the quality scale as the re-imagining of Aladdin.
This is a disappointment on two major levels; first, director Jon Favreau was previously responsible for the best liveaction Disney remake – 2016’s The Jungle Book.
And the voice cast he managed to assemble for the familiar story of young lion Simba’s (Donald Glover) ascent to the animal kingdom throne was to die for.
A big problem with the flick is the unnecessary additions made to the plot by writer Jeff Nathanson (Rush Hour 2 and 3).
Clocking in at half-an-hour longer than its animated predecessor, the excess story beats and songs feel like padding rather than natural, worthwhile accompaniments.
The one thing very few audience members – even ardent fans like me – will complain about, though, is the visuals.
Much like The Jungle Book, Favreau and the digital effects team create a wonderful world of lifelike animals, luscious landscapes, sunlight and sandy, rocky terrain that transports you into the wild; it’ll be tough to see a more beautiful looking movie this year.
Glover and Beyoncé are a likeable Simba and Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor a more menacing Scar and it was a nice touch to get James Earl Jones back to voice Mufasa.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan also make for a terrifically fun Timon and Pumbaa.
The classic tunes are all present and correct but while they are all sung very well, they lack the enchanting charm of the original’s.
The Lion King 2019 is far from a bad movie – it’s just inferior to its predecessor; a trend now firmly established within Disney’s incidental live-action remakes. A gender-swap isn’t enough to improve on the 2000 Mel Gibson rom-com What Women Want – which wasn’t very good itself.
Taraji P. Henson tries her best in the lead role but it’s a futile fight.